A clearly pregnant student came to my Vinyasa class. I taught a “Twisting Triangle” pose. I didn’t say “don’t do this if pregnant.” She did it, fell, and suffered placental abruption (thankfully mild). She sued for negligence, saying I had a duty to warn her.
Key Takeaways
- Standard of Care: You are expected to know contraindications for pregnancy. Closed twists are generally contraindicated.
- “Special Populations”: As with fitness, if you don’t have a Prenatal Cert, you might be out of scope.
- Fetal Injury: The fetus is a separate plaintiff.
- General Class Waiver: Does your waiver say “I am not pregnant” or “I agree to modify”?
The “Why”: The Failure to Warn
The Trap:
Negligence = Duty -> Breach -> Causation -> Damages.
Duty: To keep students safe.
Breach: Failing to offer a modification for a known condition.
If you saw she was pregnant and said nothing, you breached your duty.
The Investigation: I Quoted 3 Major Carriers
1. Yoga Alliance (Alliant)
- My Analysis: They expect RYT-200s to know basic modifications. They will defend you, but they will review your training.
2. beYogi
- My Analysis: Covers general instruction. They emphasize that the student has a responsibility to listen to their body (“Contributory Negligence”).
3. MamaNurture (Specialty)
- My Analysis: If you specialize in this, get specialty insurance.
[IMAGE: List of “Contraindicated Poses” for pregnancy]
Comparison Table: Prenatal Liability
| Carrier | Requires Prenatal Cert? | Covers General Classes? |
| Alliant | No (Basic Mod) | Yes |
| Specialty | Yes | Yes |
| Generic | Strict | Yes |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- General Call Out: “If you are pregnant or have injuries, please modify.”
- Specific Cues: “Avoid closed twists if pregnant.”
- Don’t Single Out: Don’t shout at her. Walk over and whisper.
- Waiver: Ensure it covers pregnancy risks.
FAQ
Am I liable if she didn’t tell me?
No. You are not psychic.
Can I tell her not to take the class?
Be careful. Discrimination laws apply. Better to modify.
What if she ignores my modification?
“Assumption of Risk.” You warned her; she ignored it. You are safe.